If you adore the Amalfi Coast, but abhor the crowds, Maratea is for you. The road in is even bendier and narrower than the infamous Amalfi Coast road, and at the end of it there’s a similarly stylish harbour, with a charming medieval village and a run of pretty, sandy coves. If you’re here for a beach break these coves are where you’ll find many of the best places to stay in Maratea, and from these our Gurus have chosen a selection of stylish villa conversions, chic traditional hotels, and a meticulously converted monastery in the heart of Maratea.

The lovely port is a collection of white and yellow buildings, full of charm, while on the water you'll usually see a smattering of glitzy super yachts. The historic centre is at the top of the hill – a whitewashed town with 44 churches, arranged underneath Maratea's answer to Rio's Christ the Redeemer. This is where you’ll find some of the best hotels in Maratea, the rest you’ll find tucked away along the coastline.

Maratea’s location, on the top of a hill overlooking the sea, means it will probably never become a destination for mass-tourism, and will always be better suited to travellers looking for a more Italian-style beach break, with a more relaxed pace of life, and overgrown charm. Like Capri’s piazzetta, the town has a main square dotted with bars, cafes and restaurants — the place to see and be seen!

Maratea might not be quite the headline destination of the Amalfi Coast, but it still gets plenty of visitors – it was much lauded by Frank Sinatra, Princess Diana and Fabio Cannavaro – and because there are fewer hotels to choose from here it’s worth booking up the best places to stay in Maratea in advance if you want to visit during the peak summer season.

The Best Places to Stay in Maratea

For Central Maratea

• In the medieval heart of Maratea, La Locanda delle Donne Monache, offers a comfortable stay in a converted convent, with 27 rooms and suites. Expect views of the mountains and the Mediterranean from the shaded pool and gardens, plus gourmet cuisine in the restaurant. A great all-rounder.

For a Beach Break

• The Santavenere Hotel is a beautiful, five-star villa hotel, surrounded by lush gardens, and directly overlooking the sea. Its 34 rooms and suites offer classical elegance, with lots of space, and in the case of our Gurus’ favourite rooms, fantastic water views from a private balcony or terrace. There’s a wellness centre with indoor and outdoor pools, and a fine-dining restaurant which also offers indoor and outdoor facilities.
• The Villa Cheta is an Art Nouveau villa, tucked into a hillside overlooking the Med. Expect genteel charm in the 23 rooms and suites, plus the tiered gardens and roof terrace. The hotel also boasts a private, pebbled beach. Relaxing, and elegant.

For Great Value

• The Hotel Villa Delle Meravigile is a wonderfully affordable waterside villa hotel, with just 16 rooms and suites, and beautiful gardens, at the bottom of which is the sea. The décor is classical, and the rooms come in a range of shapes and sizes that include family rooms. There are also two pools onsite, and a sauna.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Villa?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Maratea is about halfway between Naples International Airport and Lamezia Terme Airport. Both of these airports offer scheduled and low-cost flights to many European destinations. From Naples it’s about two hours and ten minutes by train or car to Maratea, and from Lamezia Terme it’s about two hours by train and an hour and a half by car. Alternatively, you can catch the train down from Rome, or arrive by boat if you happen to know someone who’ll drop you off!
• If you want to hire a car to explore further afield, we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Maratea is at its most glorious in the summer, when you can linger in the piazzas and laze on the coast. Italian holidaymakers tend to book July and August, while international visitors opt for May through June, or September and October, to avoid the school holiday crowds. Maratea is small, so you need to book ahead if you want to make sure you’ll have somewhere to sleep.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Basilicata.
• Consider one of the best places to stay in Matera which is on the opposite side of Basilicata
• Or one of the best places to stay in the Amalfi Coast
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.